Railway-signal



(No Model.)

J. H. FARRAR.

RAILWAY SIGNAL. No. 380,316. PatentedApr. 3, 1888.

N. PETERS, Pimlouthogphar. Wuhmgmn. 0.5

Uivrrnn STATES PAT NT rrrcn.

J. HAMILTON FARRAR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

RAILWAY-SIGNAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 380,316, dated April 3, 1888. Application filed July 23, 1881. Serial No. 245,111. (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J. HAMILTON Fulani-in, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric BailwaySignals, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to that class of railway signaling apparatus in which'electro-mechanical signaling devices are included in an electric circuit formed by sections of the railway-track or wire conductors.

The invention has for its object to provide simple and effective devices constituting a vibratory signal, which is maintained in a constant state of activity to indicate a clear track, and is only stopped when, by the passage or action of a train, the electric circuit in which the signal is included is broken.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a vibratory signal, a railway-track, and means for operating the signal. Fig. 2 is a view of an automatic circuit-breaker with signaldisk on its armature. Fig. 3 is a detail view of a lantern-box and vibratory signal-arm.

The reference-numerals 1 and 2 indicate the rails of a railway-track which, in the present instance, is divided into sections of a mile (more or less) in length, by properly insulating the joints between each section and metallically connecting the rails of each section. Each section of a railway-track thus divided or insulated from an adjoining section constitutes part of an electric circuit, in which is included a signaling apparatus of the following description: An electro magnet, 3, is connected by a wire, 4, with one of the rails, and from the other rail extends a wire, 5, which goes to a binding post or pin, 6, on a metal post, 7, of the frame on which the electromagnet is mounted. An armature, 8, pivoted to the frame, faces the pole of the electro-magnet, and is extended to form a long lever, 9, carrying a-visua-l signal-disk, 11, at its outer end. A spiral or other spring, 10, connected with the post 7 and armature-lever, exerts a pull upon the latter and retracts it against the pin 6. A galvanic battery, 12, connected with the track-rails or circuit-wires, is the source of electricity for energizing the electro-magnet and attracting the armature or signal lever. This lever operates in precisely the same manner as the armature of a rheotonie or automatic circuit-breaker; or, in other words, it vibrates rapidly between the pole of the electro-magnet and the pin 6, and in consequence thereof the semaphore-disk carried by the lever is correspondingly vibrated. It is the intention to have the signal in constant vibration in order to indicate safety or a clear track. \Vhen, however, a train passes upon the track or section in which the signal is located, the

electric current is diverted through the wheels and axle of the car and the signal comes to rest in order to indicate danger. The signal shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is adapted for day use, and in the form shown in Fig. 3 the signaldisk operates within a casing, 15, which incloses a lamp, 16, and has an opening, 17, for the passage of light. The signal-disk, by covering and uncovering this opening, causes flashes of light to be emitted in rapid succession through the opening in the box.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that I provide means for rapidly vibrating a lever carrying a signal-disk, and that such operation is performed automatically.

"While I have shown the signal as being adapted to a system in which insulated tracksections constitute part of an electric circuit, it is evident that without departing from my invention I can use circuit-wires and control the movement of the vibratory signal by a manual or automatic switch. In Fig. 2 I have shown what may be consideret a wire circuit, which contains a manual switch, 15, which is under the control of the track attendant. My signal, in addition to the uses already described, will serve to indicate the presence of broken rails, open draw-bridges, and other dangerous and abnormal conditions of a railway-track. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A railway signaling apparatus, consisting of an electric circuit, a rheotonie having a lever-armature, and a visual signal mounted on the latter, substantially as described.

2. In a railway signaling apparatus, an electric circuit in which a section of the track is included, a rheotome lying in said circuit, a

vibrating armature carrying a visual signal, and aspring drawing said armature away from the pole of the rheotome, substantially as described.

3. In a railway signaling apparatus, an elec-r tric circuit in which a section of the track is included, a rheotome lying in said circuit, an armature carrying a signal disk, a spring drawing said armature away from the pole of the rheotome, and a 1amp-box having an open- I o ,ing over which the signal-disk vibrates, substantially as described.

J. HAMILTON FARRAR. Witnesses:

ALBERT H. ADAMS, HARRY T. JONES. 

